Lubricating system



Maxfch 7, 1933.

F. c. BLANCHARD LUBRICATING SYSTEM 2 Sheets*Sheet l Filed Feb. 8, 1929 :wha 'd wn w www a a e T; www l u l I r .lll K o Mai'ch 7, 1933. F Q BLANCHARD 1,900,754

LUBRICATING SYSTEM Fi'led Feb. 8, 1929Y 2 sheets-sheet 2 vPatented an'. 7, 1933 LUBmcA'rING SYSTEM applicati@ ineay February s, 1929. serial No. 338,546.

This invention relates to automatic lubri-` y machine tools, wood working machinery, rubl ber mills, textilemachinery, crushing and pulverizing mills, laundry machines, pumps, paper machinery, sugar mills and printing presses.

The invention will be best understood by .10 reference to the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of one specific embodiment thereof,

while it-s scope will be more particularly pointed out in they appended claims.

ln the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in vertical section, of a lubricating system exemplifying the invention; p Fig. 2 is a vertical, sectional view, on` an enlarged scale, of one of the feeders of the system;

, Fig. 3 is a sectional view, substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, certain parts being shown in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a plan, partly in horizontal section, illustrating the pumping unit of the system; I

' Fig. 5 is a sectional view substantially on line 5 5 of Fig. 4, certain parts being shown in elevation; l

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the irregular line 6-6 of Fig. 5; Y

F Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 7-7 of i .5' e Fig8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Fig. 5; and E F Fig. 9 is a sectional view on line 9 9 of Referring to the drawings, and to the embodiment of the invention which is illustrate ed therein, and having reference at first to' Fig. l, there is shown a lubricating system l comprising a tank 11, presenting a reservolr i* for oil. The tank i-s provided with a filler cap 12, seated on and about a curb 13, which prevents dirt from falling into the oil when the cap is removed for the lill/'Ing of the reservoir. A screen 14 is provided to prevent the entrance of foreign matter, and to filter the 5 oil. The iilling cap is conveniently mounted for movement` to one side by mountingl the same on a vertical pin or rod 15, which extends looselyl through a cover plate 16, and is encircled by a spring 17 bearing at one end against the under-side of the cover plate, and at its other end against a suitable abutment 18 secured to the rod. When the cover is lifted, this spring yields, and after the cover'is lifted clear of the curb, the cover may be swung laterally to ulicover the screen. The jcover plate,is conveniently secured to the .tankby screws 19. A drain plug 20 near the bottom of the reservoir is' providedjto drain the oil out of the reservoir, in case it should be neces-Y sary at any time. v

Leading from and back to the reservoir is a conduit system comprising a plurality of sections ofpipe 21, and one or more feeders 22, whose external forms vary somewhat to conform to the requirements of the particuim vlar situation where they are to be used. For example, the feeder may be a through feeder,

designated by the additional character a, an elbow feeder 226, a dead-end feeder 22o, or a :T feeder 22d,or several through feeders 22e 75 may be combined end to end in a gang, where several feeders are closely grouped.

The feeder illustratedin Figs. 2 and 3 described a-nd claimed in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 338,547, liled February. 8, 1929, .is one of the through feeders, which is interposed between and connects two pipe` sections 21, and is coupled thereto by unlons 23. The feeder comprises a body or casing 24, provided with a through passage 25, coni" .necting the pipe sections 21 and providing for -the passage of oil past this particular feeder. In the case of the dead-end feeder 22e, the passage does not extend entirely through. Above the passage 25, there is a small, upwardly-directe'd opening 26 and a valve seat y27, and above the latter a chamber 28 for a needle valve 29, normally resting on the valve seat and closing the passage 26. This-valve is suitably constructed and arranged t6 re- 95' spond to a predetermined pressure in the system, as by being loaded with av suitably arranged spring 30. Herein, the lower end of this spring rests against an abutment 31 presented vby the valve, and its upper end against 109 4an abutment 32, which is adjustable vertically by a hollow screw 33 threaded into the chamber 28. A steel ball 34, interposed between the abutment 32 and the screw, i-s provided to insure that the pressure of the spring shall be brought as nearly axial as possible withthe valve. rllhe rate of feed is increased the screw in onee direction, and diminishe by turning it in the other. This varies the load of the spring 'imposed upon the needle valve.

When the valve opens, oil is admitted from the passage 25 into the chamber 28 thereabove, whence it descends by a lateral passage 35 (see Fig. 3) to a nozzle 36. The rate of feed is readily observable through openings 37 in a casing 38, which is threaded onto the-valve casing and holds-a tubular glass 39. This casing presents a nipple 40, to be screwed into'an appropriate opening in or adjacent the bearing to be lubricated. In some instances, as in the case of the gang of feeders 22e, feed pipes 4l are attached to the nipples by unions 42.

Returning now to the tank or reservoir, the latter affords a housing for a pumping unit, designated generally by the numeral 43,

Yhaving a driving shaft 44, which extends through a bearing bushing and packing gland 46 to the exterior of the casing, where it is provided with a driving element 47, which may be a pulley, or a gearA to be connected to and driven by the machine to be lubricated, thus causing the pumping unit to start and stop with the lmachine. The reservoir may be mounted on or near the machine in any convenient location.

' The pumping unit will now be described in detail, reference being had at iirst/ to Fig. 5. The principal part is a casting 48.,"which has a base 49 (see Fig. 9), secured to a pair of lugs 50 upstanding from the bottom of the tank. This casting presents bearings 51 and 52 (see Fig. 5) for the shaft 44. `It also presen'ts a pair of pump cylinders 53, and a pair of piston-valve cylinders 54. All of these cylinders are open at 'the top. The pump cylinders are closed at the bottom by plugs 55, but the piston valve cylinders are open at the bottom to prevent the trapping of oil which would prevent them from moving. Ports 56 connect the vpump cylinders 53 with the piston-valve cylinders 54. Inlet and outlet ports 57 and 58 are disposed between, and intersect the pston'valve cylinders 54.

Therel are two pistons 59, one working in each cylinder, and there are two piston valves 60, one working ineach piston-valve cylinqder. Each piston `valve is provided with a reduced portion 61, whose length and locay. tion with reference to the piston valve and 1 its relationship with the several ports are such that, in the operation of the pump, oil

is drawn into the inlet port 57, and 1s dis- 'charged through the outlet .port 58.- .In the position of the parts shown .in 5, the f hand piston starts its up stroke, and before the right-hand piston starts its down stroke, the left-hand piston valve rises and the right-hand piston valvel descends. When this happens, the reduced portion of the left-hand piston valve places the left-hand cylinder in communication with the inlet port 57, and theright-hand cylin- -der in full communication with the outlet port 58. It follows that the next up stroke of the left-hand piston causes oil to be drawn from the inlet port 57 into the left-hand cylinder, and oil to be forced from the righthand cylinder into the outlet port 58.

The actuation of the pistons is conveniently accomplished by a pair of eccentrics 62 and a pair of eccentric straps 63, encircling the eccentrics and connected by pivots 64 to, the pistons. Similarly, the pistoni valves are aptuated by a pair of eccentrics 65, encircled by eccentric straps 66 connected by pivots 67 to the piston valves. While all lof the eccentrics might be secured to vthe shaft if it were desired to operate thepump in only one direction, it is desirable that the pump shall be capable of operation in either direction, for convenience in connecting it up tothe machine by which it is to be driven. For this reason, therefore, the eccentrics 65 are se-` cured to a collar 68, which in turn is secured to the driving shaft 44, but the eccentrics 62 are loosely mounted on -theshaft 44, and are provided with ins 69 (one of which is well y illustrated in Fig. 7), each of which is driven by a collar 70 secured to the shaftand having a lost motion' driving connection with the in, as by providing the collar with a slab ed-oif portion 71, the extent of which is such that if the direction of rotation of the collar be reversed, the collar will travel onehalf a revolution before it picks up the pin again. This arrangement ensures a proper timing of the pistons withA relation to the pisl to the bottom of the reservoir, and strains all of the oil which enters the pump. An outlet pipe 79, threadediinto the casting 48 and extends in a downward direction through the cover plate of the reservoir, and is threaded into the casting 48, which is provided with a passage 81 communicating with said pipeand intersecting a passage 82, the latter having an outlet 83 adapted to discharge the returning oil into the reservoir. When this outlet is open, the pump circulates oil through the .circuit from the reservoir and back again at a comparatively low pressure (in practice, about four pounds), insuicient to make the feeders respond. When, however, this outlet is closed, as by a valve 84, the pressure in the system rises abruptly to a relatively high pressure (in practice, about sixty pounds), which is sufiicient to make the feeders respond. The degree of pressure which is developed in the system when the valve 84 is closed is determined by a pressure relief valve presently to be described.l In the present example, the

valve 84 is a slowly rotating plate, appropriately driven by andin synchronism with I is driven by a worm 87, suitably formed on or secured tothe shaft 44. Referring now to Fig. 6, the valveis maintained in firm engagement with the adjacent face of the casting 48, as by securing the valve and the worm gear by the pin 85 to a head 88, presented by a shaft 89, which turns in a bearing 90 presented by the casting, said shaft being constantly urged toward the right, as shown in Fig. 6, by a spring 91' which encircles. the

shaft, and is interposed between a fixed abutment 92 on the shaft and a washer 93 which rests against the adjacent face Aof the casting 48. rlhis spring, therefore, constitutes an automatic take-up, 'which prevents 'leakage ofthe valve when the latter is closed.

In practice, the valve 84 is closed once in every fifteen revolutions of the pump, and

remains closed about 5 per cent. of the time.

`When the valve is open, the oil has a free circulation, and the pressure is only that required to overcome friction of flow. When the valve is closed, the oil is delivered against a simple pressure relief'hvalve now to be described, as a result of whlch there is produced in the system a comparatively high pressure for a brief interval of time, the pressure being of sufficient intensity to cause the feeders to respond. 1f a pressure curve were taken, it would show comparatively long dwells of a pressure insuiicient to open the feeders, ind comparatively short periods of pressure sufficient to open the feeders. Referring to Fig. 8, there is provided a pressure relief valve designated generally by the numeral 93,

the same comprismg a casing 94 threaded -into the casting 48, and having a passage 95 communicating with a short passage 96, which in turn communicates with the passage 82. The passage 95I terminates at its upper the valve casing 94. A comparatively light spring 105 is interposed between the abutment 102 on the plunger and an abutment 106 presented by the cap 104. A button 107- is attached to the upper end of the plunger.

When the mechanically-actuated valve 84 closes the outlet 83 atthe return end of the circuit, andthe pressure consequently rises, thevalve 98 is lifted. Inasmuch as the spring 105vis lighter than the spring 10Q, the

former yields to the greater extent under the influence of the pressure. The venting or relief of the valve is conveniently accomplished by providing the valve with a longitudinal passage 108, constantly communicating with the passage 95 and one or more, herein several radial passages 109 leading to a circumferential` groove 110. The valve casing :is provided with a relief port 111, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, and inl full linesin Fig. 1. The inner end of this port is only slightly above the circumferential groove 110, and when the valve is lifted against the resistance presented by the spring 105,the groove registers with the port, and the pressure is relieved by the escape of oil through the relief port 111.

cates the upper vends of the pistons and pis-v ton valves, as well as the wrist-pins. As

shown in Fig. 1, the streamis directed 11p-- wardly across the tank to the opposite side of '115 the latter, where vit strikes the wall, and oil descends into an oil hole 112 in the shaft bearing 45. The stream also strikes a depending screw or rod 113 above the bearing 51, and directs oil into an oil hole 114 (see Fig. 5) inthe bearing 51.L The stream alsov spatters oil ontotheeccentrics and their straps j thus keeping them constantly bathed with oil. The' stream also llubricates the shaft bearing 52, which, as shown in Fig. 5, is provided with an oil hole 115.

into the chamber 99 above the latter, and this A'chamber must be ventedto prevent the accumulation of oil therein,v which would interfere with the proper actionof the valve.

`This venting is accomplished by two vent ports llandll? (see Fig. li). The oil which issues yfrom the port 116 is utilized to lubricate the shaft 89, and to this end, the bearing 90 is provided with an oil hole 118, which receives oil from the port 116. The

f oil which is discharged from the port 83 is utilized to lubricate the worm and worm gear. Thus, it is apparent that the pump is self lubricating.

Referring againto Fig. 8, the button 107 furnishes a visual indication of the 'integrity of the system, because it rises and falls with the pressure pulsations. If the oil supply were exhausted, or ify the pump were not functioning or not developing a proper pressure, the button would not rise and fall.

Similarly, if the oil line were broken, ybadly leaking or clogged, there would beno return of ol, and the button would remain dormant.

f oil-wright, need only glancey at they button f 25 This unique feature is of great practical value, because theoperator ofthe machine, or

to be assured as to the lubrication of the machine..`

In'practice, the button is marked with the word Flush. By depressing the button, the spring 100 is compressed,,thereby loading the relief valve heavily, so that the pulsation pressure is greatly increased, with a cor-y responding increase in the amountof oil fed 'to all yof thebearings. rrll`his simultaneous flushing is advantageous when startinga ma'- chine which has been idle'for some time, or if exceptionally difcult starting conditions must be met. When the button is released, the pressure is automatically restored to normal, and the established feed rates are resumed.

The general operation of the system should be evident without further description. 'lhe pump, belted or geared to a moving part of the machineV which is to be lubricated, starts with it and supplies fresh oil to the feeders.

Y vEach feeder, adjusted to the number of drops per hourfcalled for by the bearing which it serves, can be checked in an instant by the department oil-wrightor machine operator, because each feeder is provided with a sight feed. The person in charge knows that each operating system under his care is functioning as a whole, because he sees the indicating and flushing plunger reciprocate. When the machine is running, the system delivers oil in predetermined amounts to each bearing, the amount of each of course being predetermined by adjustment of its spring-loading screw 33. When the machine is idle, no oil is delivered. When the machine is running, the system is operated at a speed proportional to the speed of the machine, and furnishes the correct amount of foil to the bearings. The use of the system is characterized by economy of oil, becausethe feed is propor- Leconte ytional to theY` requirements of the machine.y By theaccurate and independent adjustment of the amount of the feed rate at each lubrication point, yfrom two to three drops per hour to substantially a stream, it is possible to deliver a minimum amount of oil consistent with safety. The system provides against waste, as well as against excess of oil.

The quick pressure impulse of high inten sity and the resulting jump of the needle of the feeder produces a measurable feed of short duration, taken from a circulating supe ply of lubricant. This makes possible much lower feed rates than heretofore regarded as safe. The jump of thefeeder kneedle overcomes anytendency of the oil to form a film The fact that this over the `feed, opening.

enr

opening isfabove the horizontal column of yoil tends to safeguard the opening from the entrance of foreign matter,y which might be in the pipe system. Moreover, the upward flow of oil through the seaty clears it of obstructions, which would not be the case if the owwere downward. In this mannerngrity or dirt of any `sort is harmlessly carried tol the reservoir, wher-e it is filtered out. Since portional to the rspeed of the pump, the amount of oil fed tothe bearings is in direct ratio to the speedy of the machine.

Reference is made to my copendinggapplication Ser. No. 338,548, filed February 8,

199.9,.wherein the methodis claimed. Referr ence y1s also ymade tomy copending application,Ser. No. 338,549, filed FebruaryS, 1929, whereinthe apparatus disclosed herein is also disclosed and claimed, in combination with other elements.

Having thus described one embodiment of the invention, but without limiting. myself thereto, what l'claim and desire to secure by LettersPatent is:

1. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combinatlon, a circuit conduit system, one or I nore feeders supplied thereby, means to circulate lubricant in said system under a ress ure insuflicient to cause said feeder or feeders to feed, and means to cause an intermit- 1 tent increase of pressure in said system suf- ,the number ofpulsations per minute is prof v .i pump supplying said system and having a comparatively long dwells of van amount in sufiicient to cause said feeder or feeders to respond and comparatively short periods of pressure sucient to cause said feeders to respond.

4. Lubricating apparatusv comprising, in

combination, aconduit system, a pump vfor sponsel to said pulsations.

6. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combinatioma conduit system, a pump for producing pressure in said system, a pressure-,controlling valve, means for operating said valve intermittently to cause pulsations of said pressure, and one or more pressureresponsive feeders supplied by said pump and which have feeding andl non-feeding periods correspondingA with said pulsations.

7. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in

combination, a lconduit system, a pump for producing pressure in said system, a valve which opens and closes said system and is not responsive to said pressure, means for operating said valve to cause pulsations of said pressure, and one or more pressure-responsive feeders supplied by said pump and which have feeding and non-feeding periods corresponding with said pulsations.

8. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in. combination, a conduit system having an outlet, one or more pressure-responsive feeders supplied thereby, a valve for said outlet, a.

capacity insucient to produce a pressure great enough to cause said feeders'to respond when-said valve is open, the capacityof said pump being 'sucientto produce a pressure great enough to cause said lfeeders to respond when said valve is closed, and means to open and close said-valve intermittently.

9. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination, aconduit system having an outlet, one or more pressure-responsive feeders supplied thereby, a valve for Asaid outlet, 4a pump supplying said system and vhaving a capacity insucient to produce a pressure great enough to cause said feeders to respond when said valve is open, the capacity of said pump being sucient to produce a pressure great enough to causesaid feeders to respond when said valve is closed, and means to open yand close said'valve intermittently and to cause it to remain open longer than'it is closed. v 10. Lubricating apparatus comprising, i

combination, a conduit system having an outcombination, a conduit system having an outlet, a'pump for producing pressure in said system, means for closing and opening said outlet, a pressure relief valve for predetermining the maximum pressure when said outlet is closed, indicating means to furnish an indication of the pressure rise and fall when said outlet is closed and opened, and one or more feeders supplied by said conduit system and having means nonresponsive to the pressure when said koutlet is open but responsive to the pressure when said outlet is closed.

12. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination, a conduit system having an outlet, a pump for producing pressure in said system, means for closing and openingsaid outlet, a pressure relief valve for predetermining the maximum pressure when said outlet is closed, indicating means operated by said pressure relief valve-to furnish an indication of the pressure rise andfall when said outlet is closed and opened, and one or more feeders supplied by said conduit system and having means non-responsive to the pressure when said outlet is open but responsive to the pressure when said outlet is closed.

13. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination, a conduit system having an outlet, a pump for producing pressure in said system, means to open and close said outlet, a pressure relief valve to predetermine the maximum pressure when said outlet is closed, means at `will to operate on said relief valve to cause a still greater pressure, and one or more feeders suppliedby said conduit system and having means non-responsive to the pressure when said outlet is open but responsive to the pressure 'when said outlet is closed.

14. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination, a conduit system having an outlet, a pump for producing pressure in said system, means to openand close said outlet, a

spring-loaded pressure relief valve to predetermine the maximum pressure when said outlet is closed, means at will to place an additional load on said relief valve to cause a still greater pressure, and one or more feeders supplied by said conduit system and havingv means non-responsive to the pressure when said outlet is open but responsive'to the pressure when said outlet is closed.

15. Lubricating apparatus comprising,l in combination, a conduit system having an out- `let, a pump for producing pressure in said system, means to open and close said outlet, a pressure relief valve having a spring to predetermine the maximum pressure When said outlet is closed, means at will to plac a load on said spring to cause 'a still eater pressure, and one or more feeders supp ed by said conduit system and having means nonresponsive to the pressure when said outlet 1s 'open but responsive to the pressure whensaid closed and opened,and one or more feeders' supplied by said conduit system and having means non-responsive to the pressurewhen said outlet is open but responsive to the 4pressure when said outlet is closed.

17. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination, a conduit system having an outlet, a pump for producing pressure in said system, means for opening and closing said outlet, a pressure relief valve having a spring to predetermine the maximum pressure when said outlet is closed, means at will to operate through said spring to provide an increased pressure and on the other hand normally operated by said relief valve through said spring to furnish an indication of the pressure rise and fall when said outlet is closed and opened, and one or more feeders supplied by said lconduit system and having means non-responsive to the pressure when said outlet is o en but 'responsive to thel pressure when said outlet is closed.

18. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination a` circuit conduitsystem, a pump for circulatlng lubricant in" said system, an intermittentlyoperated valve at the return end of said system to cause the pressure therein to rise and fall, and one or more feeders or more feeders supplied by said system and responsive to the rise and fall of the pressure therein.

20. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination, a circuit conduit system, a pump for circulating lubricant in said system, an intermittently operated valve at the return end of said system to cause the pressure therein to rise and fall, indicating means at the return end of said system to furnish an indication of the rise and fall of the pressure,'and one or more feeders supplied by said system and responsive to the rise and fall of the pressure therein.

21. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination, a circuit conduit system, a pump for circulating lubricant in said system, an intermittently operated valve at the return end of said system to cause the pressure therein to rise and fall, a pressure predetermining valve also at the return end of said system to predetermine the maximum pressure, ndicating means operated by said pressure predetermining valve to furnish an indication of the rise and fall of the pressure, and one or more feeders supplied by said system and responsive to the rise and fall o f the pressure therein.

22. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in-

combination, a circuit conduit system, apump for circulating lubricant in said system, an intermittently operated valve at the return end of said systemto cause the pressure therein to rise and fall, a pressure predetermining valve also at the .return end of said system to predetermine the maximum pressure, means at will to operate on said relief valve to cause a still greater pressure, and one or more feeders supplied by said system and responsive to the rise and fall of the pressure therein.

23. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination, a circuit conduit system, a pump for circulating lubricant in said system, an intermittently operated valve 'at the return end of said system to cause the pressure therein to rise and fall, a pressure predetermining valve also at the return end of said system to predetermine the maximum pressure, means operated bysaid valve to indicate the rise and fall of the pressure, said means being available a't will to operate on said relief valve to cause a still greater ressure, and one or more feeders supplied y said system and responsive to the rise and fall of the pressure therein.

24. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination, a tank presenting a reservoir for the lubricant, a cover for said tank, a coni duit system having an outlet from said tank and an inlet to said tankl both below said cover, a pump in said tank for pumping lubricant from said reservoir through said system and back to said reservoir, means within said tank to cause the pressure in said system to rise and fall, a pressure relief valve within said tank to relieve the pressure in said system, said valve discharging into said reservoir, and one or more feeders supplied by said system and responsive to the rise and fall of the pressure therein.

25. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination, a tank presenting" a reservoir 5 for the lubricant, a cover for said tank, a conduit system having an outlet from said tank and an inlet to said tank both below said cover, a pump in said tank for pumping lubricant from said reservoir through said system and back to said reservoir, means within said tank to cause the pressure in said system to Vrise and fall, a pressure relief valve within said tank to relieve the pressure in said system, said valve discharging into said reservoir, a pulsation indicator operated by said l relief valve and extending upwardly through said cover, and one or more feeders supplied by said system and responsive to the rise and fall of the pressure therein.

26. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination, a conduit system, one or more feeders communicating therewith, and a pres'- sure relief valve for relieving the pressure in said system, said Valve having means for directing some of the lubricant to working parts of said pump to lubricate the same.

27. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination, a conduit system, one or more feeders communicating therewith, a tank, a

pump within said tank for pumping lubricant from said tank into said system and back to said tank, and apressure relief valve for relieving the pressure in said system, said valve having means for supplying lubricant to working parts of said pump to .lubricate the same.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

FREDERICK C. BLANCHARD.

DisLAlMER 1,900,754.-Frederficlc 0. Blanchard, Dorchester, Mass. LUBRICATING SYSTEM.

' Patent dated March 7, 1933. Disclaimer filed March 23, 1936, bythe patentes; Rive# Lathed: (hinder Inc., exclusive licensee,- consenting. Hereb enters this disclaimer-to claims 4, 5, 6,8, and 9 of said L etters Patent. l Gazette April 14, 1.986.] 

